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-----Gold-Titanium Alloy for use in making shikhar kalash
I have been given to understand by a qualified metallurgist that an alloy made with 90% of 24 carat gold and 10% of titanium has very good strength, is highly malleable and can be drawn into sheets of suitable gauge to be converted into shikhar kalash on the dome of a temple. He also claims that this alloy will have all the glitter that gold has and will have the same yellow color, it can with stand any weather condition and the gold can be completely recovered from it. Kindly let me know if such a technology exists and is established.This information will be very useful as we want to install a gold kalash on the dome of a community temple here.The height of kalash is expected to be about six feet.
S.Paihobbyist - MARGAO, GOA, India
2003
I seriously doubt the suitability of the proposed alloy.
The Au-Ti phase diagram in Smithells Metals Reference Book, 7th Edn., shows that the 90 wt% Au composition is between two intermetallics: TiAu2 (89 wt% Au) and TiAu4 (94.3 wt% Au). Solidification from the liquid should primarily yield TiAu2 dendrites, coated with TiAu4, and a tiny amount of interdendritic Au solid solution (~97% Au). I would expect this alloy to be hard, strong, brittle (non-malleable), weather-resistant and of non-uniform color. If necessary, the gold could be recovered by oxidizing the titanium from the melt.
- Goleta, California
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2003
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